November 25, 2025 • 11 mins
Sam speaks to access and inclusion officer Kelly Armstrong from Moonee Valley City Council about their upcoming Pathways to Inclusions event, taking place in Flemington on 29 November between 12pm and 4pm.
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Episode Transcript
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S1 (00:13):
Our next guest is here to have a chat with
us about an upcoming event that the Moonee Valley City
Council is holding to celebrate the lead up to International
Day of People with disabilities on the 3rd of December.
Her name is Kelly Armstrong and she joins me now. Kelly,
(00:34):
welcome to Talking Vision. Thank you very much for your time.
S2 (00:38):
Thanks for having me, Sam. I'm really excited to be here.
S1 (00:41):
Now, today, of course, Kelly, we're having a chat about
the upcoming Pathways to Inclusion event, among other things. But
let's start off with the event. Give us a bit
of an overview.
S2 (00:53):
Sam, we've got this event happening on Saturday the 29th
of November at the Flemington pub in Flemington. We've got
an Expo style event happening where we're offering the opportunity
for people with disability to come along and learn about
what are the local opportunities for them to participate in
the local community, helping to support their physical and mental
(01:17):
well-being and also build their capacity around what's available. And
we have some workshops people can get involved in. Um,
we have hands on workshops that will address circus skills.
So people want to be learning to spin plates and
do a bit of juggling. We've got a couple of
those workshops happening, and then we've also got a writing
(01:39):
workshop with the esteemed Eliza Hull, who's also a singer
and has written a few books herself. So she's got
a two hour workshop that will give people an opportunity to, to, um,
try out their skills in capturing their experiences and stories.
And on that note, we've also created a space in
the event where people can share stories where they've felt
(02:01):
included in Moonee Valley or in other parts of their life. Um,
so we have a few of our disability advisory committee
who have shared some of their own experiences that'll be
available for people to learn about. While I'm mentioning the
Disability Advisory Committee, they've been instrumental in driving this event.
We're really lucky to have such an engaged group of
(02:23):
local residents with disability. Yeah. So, um, a couple of
them will be emceeing the event. So this is another
way of offering an opportunity to build capacity. So for
our disability advisory committee, they'll be doing the emcee function. Uh,
we'll be celebrating disability pride. So encouraging people who are
attending to share what they love about their disability. Um,
(02:47):
this is all really helpful for council to understand in
the work that we do in advocating for inclusion of
people with disability in the Moonee Valley community.
S1 (02:57):
And just to recap, for people out there, that's Saturday,
the 29th of November from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
at the Jarring Flemington Hub. Now, Kelly, if people would
love to head along, what's the best way for them
to sign up and register for the event?
S2 (03:18):
Thanks for asking, Sam. We've got a web page that's
specifically for this event. If you put into your search
function Pathways to Inclusion, Moonee Valley, you should have some
links that come up. And on those web pages, we've
got the list of the providers who will be attending
the event and the organisations who have provided some sponsorships.
(03:43):
We have a door prize that'll be happening throughout the event.
The other thing that is really key on that page
is we've got a venue map and we've got a
social story so people can prepare before they come and, um,
make the most of the day.
S1 (03:59):
Fantastic. Now, Kellie, I'd love to chat a bit more
about that disability advisory committee. Tell us a bit more
about that and how that all sort of got off
the ground. And what was the impetus for that, and
what have they been up to in the past little while?
S2 (04:19):
Well, Sam, you've touched on one of my favourite topics.
S1 (04:22):
Excellent.
S2 (04:22):
So the Disability Advisory Committee are a group of 12
residents and people who work or volunteer in Moonee Valley
who live with disability. We aim to make sure that
we have good representation of different disability experiences in that group,
as well as different ages and genders and cultural background,
(04:46):
and where they live across Many Valley, because there's lots
of different suburbs that we have and there's different experiences
in different neighborhoods as well. So we're really keen to
make sure we've got as many people represented in the conversation.
And the main purpose of the Disability Advisory Committee is
to guide council in one for this particular event that
(05:07):
we acknowledge and celebrate each year, International Day of People
with disability. And the second function is to guide Council
in the delivery of our Disability Action Plan, which you
may and your listeners may understand is a legislative requirement
for our organisation. So we've actually just stepped into the
phase of integrating our disability action plan into the council
(05:31):
and health plan, which is a big step. And we're
hoping that really elevates the work of inclusion of people
with disability in Moonee Valley.
S1 (05:39):
And Kelly, this is a bit of a wide ranging,
bit philosophical question, but um, why is International Day of
People with disability an occasion for the whole community like you?
And I know how important it really is, but let's
drill into the heart of the matter and get into
(06:03):
the reasons why these sort of days are so important
for the whole community, not just people with disabilities, but
the general public.
S2 (06:14):
Sam, as you say, we both know that there are
a lot of people in our Australian population who experience
different types of disability, and I think the International Day
of People with disability is an opportunity for us to
pause and celebrate that we do have, um, so much
value in our community that we often overlook. So most people,
I think, would know somebody who experiences a disability. The
(06:38):
majority of people with disability would probably acquire that through
the aging process. Certainly that's the case for the demographic
in Moonee Valley. But we know that disability can be
something that you're born with, or it can be something
that you acquire, um, through a traumatic event or an illness.
And when you have the experience of being differently abled
(06:59):
to your peers, it can really get in the way
of being able to have an equitable experience with your peers.
So one of the things about the intent of the
Disability Action Plan is to try and address those barriers. Um,
so the Disability Advisory Committee have supported, um, my fellow
officers across the organisation in providing feedback on some of
(07:22):
the initiatives or projects, um, policies that are being worked on, um,
things like the social story I mentioned earlier, the Disability
Advisory Committee have been collaborating with councils communications team to
create a template, and we're continuing to refine that so
that it's a tool that can be used by council
(07:44):
officers across the organisation when they are organising an event
or any programme, so that there's information that helps people
who require the knowledge about what to expect when they
get to an event. Things like the noise volumes, the
smells that might be there, the lighting, um, how busy
an area is going to be that they're involved in, um,
(08:07):
so they can prepare themselves and feel like they can
show up as comfortably as they can, which creates more
of a level playing field, I guess, certainly to have
a great experience.
S1 (08:17):
Absolutely. And this year's theme for International Day of People
with disabilities Fostering Disability Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress. Now,
that sounds quite straightforward in some ways, but also it's
extremely deep and sometimes delves into a lot of things
(08:41):
that still need to be improved to see that advancement.
So finally, Kelly, what does that theme mean from your
standpoint and what do you see as some of the
biggest challenges, but also the biggest hopes going forward in
2026 and beyond in this space?
S2 (09:05):
So those are big questions.
S1 (09:07):
Huge questions. Yeah.
S2 (09:09):
So I think that the theme for this year's International
Day of People with disability is really apt for local government.
You know, a lot of our work is in the
community and working with people face to face, and we're
really aware of how impactful communities attitudes can be, um,
(09:29):
towards some of our marginalized communities. Um, so people with
disability would be one of many of those groups. And
I say marginalized because there is not currently an equitable experience.
People with disability don't have the same opportunities and the
support that they may need to be able to have
an equitable experiences with their peers. So I think that's
(09:52):
what the work that I do really tries to focus
on and advocate across Moonee Valley. For that to be addressed.
Ask me what I'm looking forward to in 2026. I
think it's getting the opportunity to implement the Disability Action plan.
Were really hoping to focus on the information and the
communication that council prepares and and publishes for our communities,
(10:14):
for it to be as accessible and inclusive as we can.
I think it's always a journey. As long as we
keep stepping towards addressing those barriers, then we're showing up
and in good faith, trying to improve on what we
can for people to feel included and safe and feel
that they can be themselves and be proud of themselves
(10:36):
in our community.
S1 (10:37):
100%. And now, Kelly, we could talk for hours about
disability advocacy and local government initiatives and all that sort
of thing. So I'll have to get back in touch
with you in, um, coming months or years to come
so we can, um. Yeah. Certainly have. Yeah. Have, um,
have a further chat about a wide range of things,
(11:00):
but I think that's all for today. I've been speaking
today with Kelly Armstrong, access and inclusion officer from Moonee
Valley City Council, here to chat to me about the
upcoming event on the 29th of November, as well as
the work that the council is doing with the Disability
(11:23):
Advisory Committee and the theme of International Day of People
with disability. Kelly, thank you so much for your time today.
It was great to catch up with you and have
a chat.
S2 (11:36):
Thank you Sam. Always happy to have a conversation about
these topics.
Our next guest is here to have a chat with
us about an upcoming event that the Moonee Valley City
Council is holding to celebrate the lead up to International
Day of People with disabilities on the 3rd of December.
Her name is Kelly Armstrong and she joins me now. Kelly,
(00:34):
welcome to Talking Vision. Thank you very much for your time.
S2 (00:38):
Thanks for having me, Sam. I'm really excited to be here.
S1 (00:41):
Now, today, of course, Kelly, we're having a chat about
the upcoming Pathways to Inclusion event, among other things. But
let's start off with the event. Give us a bit
of an overview.
S2 (00:53):
Sam, we've got this event happening on Saturday the 29th
of November at the Flemington pub in Flemington. We've got
an Expo style event happening where we're offering the opportunity
for people with disability to come along and learn about
what are the local opportunities for them to participate in
the local community, helping to support their physical and mental
(01:17):
well-being and also build their capacity around what's available. And
we have some workshops people can get involved in. Um,
we have hands on workshops that will address circus skills.
So people want to be learning to spin plates and
do a bit of juggling. We've got a couple of
those workshops happening, and then we've also got a writing
(01:39):
workshop with the esteemed Eliza Hull, who's also a singer
and has written a few books herself. So she's got
a two hour workshop that will give people an opportunity to, to, um,
try out their skills in capturing their experiences and stories.
And on that note, we've also created a space in
the event where people can share stories where they've felt
(02:01):
included in Moonee Valley or in other parts of their life. Um,
so we have a few of our disability advisory committee
who have shared some of their own experiences that'll be
available for people to learn about. While I'm mentioning the
Disability Advisory Committee, they've been instrumental in driving this event.
We're really lucky to have such an engaged group of
(02:23):
local residents with disability. Yeah. So, um, a couple of
them will be emceeing the event. So this is another
way of offering an opportunity to build capacity. So for
our disability advisory committee, they'll be doing the emcee function. Uh,
we'll be celebrating disability pride. So encouraging people who are
attending to share what they love about their disability. Um,
(02:47):
this is all really helpful for council to understand in
the work that we do in advocating for inclusion of
people with disability in the Moonee Valley community.
S1 (02:57):
And just to recap, for people out there, that's Saturday,
the 29th of November from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
at the Jarring Flemington Hub. Now, Kelly, if people would
love to head along, what's the best way for them
to sign up and register for the event?
S2 (03:18):
Thanks for asking, Sam. We've got a web page that's
specifically for this event. If you put into your search
function Pathways to Inclusion, Moonee Valley, you should have some
links that come up. And on those web pages, we've
got the list of the providers who will be attending
the event and the organisations who have provided some sponsorships.
(03:43):
We have a door prize that'll be happening throughout the event.
The other thing that is really key on that page
is we've got a venue map and we've got a
social story so people can prepare before they come and, um,
make the most of the day.
S1 (03:59):
Fantastic. Now, Kellie, I'd love to chat a bit more
about that disability advisory committee. Tell us a bit more
about that and how that all sort of got off
the ground. And what was the impetus for that, and
what have they been up to in the past little while?
S2 (04:19):
Well, Sam, you've touched on one of my favourite topics.
S1 (04:22):
Excellent.
S2 (04:22):
So the Disability Advisory Committee are a group of 12
residents and people who work or volunteer in Moonee Valley
who live with disability. We aim to make sure that
we have good representation of different disability experiences in that group,
as well as different ages and genders and cultural background,
(04:46):
and where they live across Many Valley, because there's lots
of different suburbs that we have and there's different experiences
in different neighborhoods as well. So we're really keen to
make sure we've got as many people represented in the conversation.
And the main purpose of the Disability Advisory Committee is
to guide council in one for this particular event that
(05:07):
we acknowledge and celebrate each year, International Day of People
with disability. And the second function is to guide Council
in the delivery of our Disability Action Plan, which you
may and your listeners may understand is a legislative requirement
for our organisation. So we've actually just stepped into the
phase of integrating our disability action plan into the council
(05:31):
and health plan, which is a big step. And we're
hoping that really elevates the work of inclusion of people
with disability in Moonee Valley.
S1 (05:39):
And Kelly, this is a bit of a wide ranging,
bit philosophical question, but um, why is International Day of
People with disability an occasion for the whole community like you?
And I know how important it really is, but let's
drill into the heart of the matter and get into
(06:03):
the reasons why these sort of days are so important
for the whole community, not just people with disabilities, but
the general public.
S2 (06:14):
Sam, as you say, we both know that there are
a lot of people in our Australian population who experience
different types of disability, and I think the International Day
of People with disability is an opportunity for us to
pause and celebrate that we do have, um, so much
value in our community that we often overlook. So most people,
I think, would know somebody who experiences a disability. The
(06:38):
majority of people with disability would probably acquire that through
the aging process. Certainly that's the case for the demographic
in Moonee Valley. But we know that disability can be
something that you're born with, or it can be something
that you acquire, um, through a traumatic event or an illness.
And when you have the experience of being differently abled
(06:59):
to your peers, it can really get in the way
of being able to have an equitable experience with your peers.
So one of the things about the intent of the
Disability Action Plan is to try and address those barriers. Um,
so the Disability Advisory Committee have supported, um, my fellow
officers across the organisation in providing feedback on some of
(07:22):
the initiatives or projects, um, policies that are being worked on, um,
things like the social story I mentioned earlier, the Disability
Advisory Committee have been collaborating with councils communications team to
create a template, and we're continuing to refine that so
that it's a tool that can be used by council
(07:44):
officers across the organisation when they are organising an event
or any programme, so that there's information that helps people
who require the knowledge about what to expect when they
get to an event. Things like the noise volumes, the
smells that might be there, the lighting, um, how busy
an area is going to be that they're involved in, um,
(08:07):
so they can prepare themselves and feel like they can
show up as comfortably as they can, which creates more
of a level playing field, I guess, certainly to have
a great experience.
S1 (08:17):
Absolutely. And this year's theme for International Day of People
with disabilities Fostering Disability Inclusive Societies for Advancing Social Progress. Now,
that sounds quite straightforward in some ways, but also it's
extremely deep and sometimes delves into a lot of things
(08:41):
that still need to be improved to see that advancement.
So finally, Kelly, what does that theme mean from your
standpoint and what do you see as some of the
biggest challenges, but also the biggest hopes going forward in
2026 and beyond in this space?
S2 (09:05):
So those are big questions.
S1 (09:07):
Huge questions. Yeah.
S2 (09:09):
So I think that the theme for this year's International
Day of People with disability is really apt for local government.
You know, a lot of our work is in the
community and working with people face to face, and we're
really aware of how impactful communities attitudes can be, um,
(09:29):
towards some of our marginalized communities. Um, so people with
disability would be one of many of those groups. And
I say marginalized because there is not currently an equitable experience.
People with disability don't have the same opportunities and the
support that they may need to be able to have
an equitable experiences with their peers. So I think that's
(09:52):
what the work that I do really tries to focus
on and advocate across Moonee Valley. For that to be addressed.
Ask me what I'm looking forward to in 2026. I
think it's getting the opportunity to implement the Disability Action plan.
Were really hoping to focus on the information and the
communication that council prepares and and publishes for our communities,
(10:14):
for it to be as accessible and inclusive as we can.
I think it's always a journey. As long as we
keep stepping towards addressing those barriers, then we're showing up
and in good faith, trying to improve on what we
can for people to feel included and safe and feel
that they can be themselves and be proud of themselves
(10:36):
in our community.
S1 (10:37):
100%. And now, Kelly, we could talk for hours about
disability advocacy and local government initiatives and all that sort
of thing. So I'll have to get back in touch
with you in, um, coming months or years to come
so we can, um. Yeah. Certainly have. Yeah. Have, um,
have a further chat about a wide range of things,
(11:00):
but I think that's all for today. I've been speaking
today with Kelly Armstrong, access and inclusion officer from Moonee
Valley City Council, here to chat to me about the
upcoming event on the 29th of November, as well as
the work that the council is doing with the Disability
(11:23):
Advisory Committee and the theme of International Day of People
with disability. Kelly, thank you so much for your time today.
It was great to catch up with you and have
a chat.
S2 (11:36):
Thank you Sam. Always happy to have a conversation about
these topics.
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